Revelation 8:11

And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

Symbolizers interpret the star fallen from heaven a chief minister (Arius, etc., or some future false teacher) falling from his high place, and instead of shining with heavenly light as a star, becoming a torch lit with earthly fire and smouldering with smoke. Wormwood, though medicinal, if used as ordinary water, would not only be disagreeable, but also fatal; so 'heretical wormwood changes the sweet Siloas of Scripture into deadly Marahs' (Wordsworth). Contrast the converse change of Marah water into sweet, (, etc.) Alford instances the conversion of water into fire-water-ardent spirits-which may destroy a third of the ungodly in the latter days.